an overwhelming margin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an overwhelming margin" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant difference in quantity or degree, often in contexts like elections, competitions, or comparisons. Example: "The candidate won the election by an overwhelming margin, securing 70% of the votes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

(On December 6th, he won, by an overwhelming margin).

The New Yorker

The white population accepts the offer by an overwhelming margin.

The New York Times

She won by more than 16 points, an overwhelming margin.

The New York Times - Sports

But voters chose Mr. Landrieu, a consummate insider, by an overwhelming margin.

The New York Times

On December 9, 2016, the National Assembly voted to impeach Park by an overwhelming margin.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Rafsanjani himself was elected Iran's president by an overwhelming margin shortly thereafter.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In June 1989, a re-legalized Solidarity won partly free elections by an overwhelming margin.

Independent

The Church of England as a whole wants female bishops by an overwhelming margin.

The Guardian - Opinion

He won re-election by an overwhelming margin last month, as he had in recent years.

The New York Times

KANSAS Senator Sam Brownback, a Republican, won re-election by an overwhelming margin.

The New York Times

Although turnout was low, at just 23% in the run-off, he won by an overwhelming margin.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an overwhelming margin" to emphasize the scale and significance of a victory, difference, or agreement.

Common error

Avoid using "an overwhelming margin" when precise figures or percentages are necessary for clarity. In such cases, stating the exact figures is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an overwhelming margin" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It describes the extent or size of a difference or lead, typically in a competitive or comparative context, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

12%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

6%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an overwhelming margin" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe a significant difference or advantage. As Ludwig confirms, it effectively conveys the scale and importance of a victory or outcome. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as encyclopedic contexts, it carries a neutral tone suitable for professional and academic discourse. When aiming for precision, however, direct figures might be more appropriate. Alternatives such as "a decisive victory" or "a significant advantage" can also be considered to maintain variety in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant advantage

Focuses on the lead or upper hand gained, applicable in various competitive contexts.

a landslide victory

Highlights the scale of the win, implying a broad base of support.

a resounding triumph

Emphasizes the impressive and clear nature of the victory.

a decisive victory

Emphasizes the conclusiveness of the win, focusing on the outcome rather than the numerical difference.

a considerable lead

Highlights the extent of the lead, suitable for describing races or competitions.

a dominant performance

Focuses on the superior execution or skill displayed, leading to a large margin of victory.

a substantial difference

Highlights the magnitude of the difference, applicable in comparative analyses.

a wide gap

Emphasizes the numerical difference between two values or scores.

a clear majority

Indicates that more than half of the votes or opinions are in favor.

a runaway success

Emphasizes that the event or initiative has exceeded expectations by a large amount

FAQs

How can I use "an overwhelming margin" in a sentence?

You can use "an overwhelming margin" to describe a decisive win, such as "The bill passed by "an overwhelming margin" in the House."

What are some alternatives to "an overwhelming margin"?

Consider using "a decisive victory", "a landslide victory", or "a significant advantage" as alternatives to "an overwhelming margin" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a overwhelming margin" instead of "an overwhelming margin"?

No, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct usage is "an overwhelming margin" because "overwhelming" starts with a vowel sound, requiring the indefinite article "an".

What does "an overwhelming margin" imply?

It implies that the difference between two quantities is so large that it is undeniable and highly significant. It suggests a clear and unambiguous outcome.